The shopping on Menorca is fun and best done in the capital, Mahon, where there are pedestrianised, winding lanes and numerous cute shops selling local items. Popular gifts include Abarcas sandals—made from recycled car tires—Xoriguer gin, and an array of handicrafts and textiles. Good value can be found if you shop at the markets and are adept at haggling.

Some of the best shopping is within Mahon, in the old town behind the harbor. Mahon has shopping malls, standard Spanish supermarkets, snazzy boutiques, and souvenirs shops. The old town of Ciutadella is also a good bet, while beaches typically have independent shops along the main strip. The town of Ferreries in the center of the Menorca (on the Mahon-Ciutadella route) is best known for its huge Saturday market.

Markets are somewhat of a big deal in Spain, typically featuring a lively atmosphere and intriguing shopping. Along with fruit and vegetables, tapas and perishables can be found clothes, leather goods, and jewelry. In the high season, expect Menorca markets to be open daily in one place or another. Try to get to there early (the first sale is often the most discounted) and always smile while bargaining.

Souvenir items to lookout for include embroidery, leatherwear (bags especially), shoes (Abarcas sandals are especially popular), hand-painted pottery, glassware, wood carvings, and non-authentic pearls from Manacor in Mallorca. All of these can be found in local shops, as well as in the markets.

Shopping hours in Menorca are typically 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and then 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Saturday), reopening after the daily siesta. Malls and large shops are open later, usually 10:00 p.m. in the towns, while tourist-stores can be found open every day.

Spas

Cala Galdana on the south coast is your best bet for pampering, with several hotel spas, such as Hotel Audax, and some standalone thalassotherapy (“seawater therapy”) centers renowned for their treatments. Cala en Boschwell, south of Ciutadella, also has several good options. Most of the hotel spas welcome paying non-guests.